Royal Caribbean Blog

Nobody imagines they will be let down by their cruise ship vacation , but it happens sometimes for possibly avoidable reasons.

Cruises have never been more popular with tens of millions of people trying them out, especially people that have never cruised before.

But if you don't plan things out or manage your expectations, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment later.

These are the 10 reasons why some cruisers come home disappointed and how you can bypass these issues have a great cruise experience!

They pick the wrong cabin location

Cruise ship cabins aren't like hotel rooms in the sense they're not all similar.  In fact, you can make a really poor choice in where your cabin is located, leading to frustration later.

There are many categories of cabins, from spacious suites to tiny inside cabins. In a lot of cases, your vacation budget is the driving factor in which you pick.

But chasing the lowest price room is often a mistake because you end up with a cabin that's too small and lacks amenities you didn't realize you cared about, such as having natural light or fresh air.

This is especially true when you cruise with family and are sharing a cabin with more than one other person. Would spending more to have an extra bathroom make a big difference? Would you be okay stepping over everyone's belongings constantly?

Beyond cabin choice, is where the room is located.

Some rooms should be avoided because of noise bleed issues or because they might be more likely to make you seasick. 

The top downfall here is picking a guarantee cabin, where Royal Caribbean assigns you a room location in exchange for a cheaper price.  I'd recommend as a new cruiser skipping this option and picking the right cabin location that you won't regret every night.

They didn't use a good travel agent

There's no doubt the best way to book a Royal Caribbean cruise is with the help of a good travel agent.

A lot of new cruisers are surprised how useful and still relevant travel agents are when it comes to a cruise, but they truly are.  That's because of how personalized a cruise vacation is, and all the individual decisions you need to make in order to book a cruise.

Plus, travel agents are a tremendously useful resource for answering common questions and solving problems.  Royal Caribbean isn't perfect and they make mistakes.  It's much better to let a travel agent fix them for you.

Plus, they can assist with booking you flights, hotels, and other logistical needs associated with your trip.

I always use a travel agent and I recommend everyone use them too.  My favorite travel agency is MEI Travel, and you'll want to ask family and friends who they use and recommend too.

They chose the wrong cruise ship

There isn't a bad Royal Caribbean cruise ship, but there are definitely better ships for you and your family.

Royal Caribbean has a fleet of almost 30 ships, but picking the right one depends on what you're looking for and need in your trip.

Do you want a ship that has a lot to do for your kids? Or are you traveling without children and prefer to focus on the places you're visiting?  Do you want to book the best service possible in the biggest suites? Or are you looking to save money on your accommodations?

One mistake often made is chasing the cheapest price and ending up on a small, old cruise ship that lacks all of the cool features you see advertised.

But you could make the opposite mistake and book the newest cruise ship because it's the newest cruise ship and find there are far more families (and their kids) onboard.

They did not look into what's included with the cruise fare

Royal Caribbean cruises are not all-inclusive, but I think a lot of people that have never cruised before think it is.

The price you pay for your base fare includes some basics:

• Accommodations
• Unlimited food at certain venues
• Unlimited select beverages
• Entertainment
• Transportation between ports

Everything else will cost extra, and that's important to factor into your vacation budget.

There are extra costs you can optionally buy:

• Beverage packages
• Shore excursions
• Internet access
• Spa services
• Casino gambling
• Certain onboard activities

You'll want to look into what's included with your cruise fare, and what amenities are on your ship so you can take advantage of it.

They forgot to book things that are prone to selling out in advance

Some things will sell out before your cruise begins, and that could really leave you dismayed.

Royal Caribbean gives cruisers the option to book specialty restaurants, shore excursions, or cabana rentals and you will want to book them in advance.  Not only is it cheaper to book pre-cruise, but they have limited availability.

You'll have access to the Royal Caribbean app as soon as you book a cruise, and that's where you can book extras, including internet and drink packages, shore excursions, spa treatments, arcade credits, classes, and more. 

There are sales quite often, and that could mean lower prices.  Moreover, any price you find online will be cheaper than the cost onboard the ship if you wait.

Some of the discounts offered can be as much as 40% off onboard pricing.

They chose the wrong dining time for dinner

You have the choice of three dining options for dinner when you book a cruise: traditional early, traditional late, or My Time Dining (there's actually a third middle dining time too now).

If you select a traditional dinner time, you'll have the same table assignment, waiters, and tablemates every day of the cruise at the same time.

My Time Dining means you get to choose different times to eat dinner, but you'll need to make reservations.  The idea is you can curtail your dinner time to your other plans.

Both have their disadvantages, and that leads to disappointment. 

Having a fixed dinner time means a very rigid schedule each evening, and you may not like your waiters or tablemates.

The flexible dining times puts the onus on you to make reservations, and even with a booked time, there can be lines to get a table.

These dining times only apply to dinner, as other meals are all served first-come, first served.

They hated the crowds and lines

You can't sugar coat it: Royal Caribbean ships are giant ships that have thousands of passengers onboard any sailing. 

The biggest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, can handle as many as 7,600 guests!

Without a doubt, there will be times where there are lines and crowds, and some new cruisers are unprepared for that reality. Lines develop at the buffet, elevators, on disembarkation day, and even a lack of pool chairs on a sea day.

There are some strategies to counter the crowds, depending how flexible you are. You could choose to have dinner at off-peak hours, take the stairs instead of the elevator, go to the pool in the late afternoon or evening, or carry your own luggage off the ship on the final morning to beat the crowds.

You could also throw money at the problem and book a suite so you can have access to suite-only areas of the ship and the assistance of the suite concierge to mitigate waits.

They didn't purchase travel insurance

I think the single biggest mistake a new cruiser makes is skipping on travel insurance, which covers unforeseen events such as travel delays, medical emergencies, and luggage mishaps.

It's peace of mind, and like all types of insurance, is so useful if you ever need it. The cost of a travel insurance plan depends on the cost of your trip, but it's usually a couple hundred dollars.

For example, if your cruise costs $2,400, purchasing insurance through Royal Caribbean will cost you $199. 

In addition to the travel insurance Royal Caribbean sells, there are a myriad of third-party providers that sell it.  Just like auto or home insurance, there are different coverages and you can select which ones you need.

You never know if a calamity could strike, and your medical insurance probably doesn't cover you when you're outside the United States.  Plus, Royal Caribbean's medical facilities do not take any insurance and will charge you directly.

Besides a medical need, travel insurance kicks in to cover scenarios that most new cruisers never imagine, such as your ship getting stuck at sea and coming back later than scheduled. Or you losing your job right before a vacation and not wanting to travel.

Because a travel insurance plan is relatively inexpensive, you ought to get one to cover your family.  You probably won't ever need it, but if you do, it's a godsend.

They didn't research shore excursions

One of the top reasons someone books a cruise is for the places the ship visits, so don't leave your port plans to chance.

Trying to wing it, or booking the first tour you can find, is often the path to frustration when you realize you could have done things better.

The key is to take some time and plan out each port by looking into the tours offered, as well as what you can do on your own.

Piggybacking on one of the earlier tips in this article, doing research and finding the perfect tour in advance means you can book it before it sells out. Shore excursions seem to be the first thing to sell out on a cruise, especially when you're visiting far-flung destinations like Alaska or Europe.

The last thing you want to do is leave everything until the day you arrive in port and try to decide on the pier what your plans should be.

They didn't learn what certain words and phrases mean

You will probably hear certain words during your cruise that really don't get used anywhere else.

• Aft
• Forward
• Port
• Starboard

These are all directional words to help you better navigate the ship. The reason why these words exist is so that you can know your bearings from anywhere, regardless of the direction you happen to be facing.

The bow is the frontmost part of the ship, while the stern is located at the rear, opposite the bow. The terms "forward" and "aft" describe locations on the ship: "forward" refers to the front, and "aft" refers to the back.

Another really important term is "ship time", because it can mean the difference between being on time for returning to your ship or not while in port.

When your ship traverses time zones, the local time may change but not necessarily the time on your ship.

You'll hear people say, "stick to ship time", and that means to ignore local time and keep your phones and watches synched to the ship's time.

There are rules about what you can and cannot bring on a cruise ship, including water.

Royal Caribbean has specific rules about what you can and cannot bring onboard with you, and there are limits to things like bringing water.

More travelers are bringing water bottles with them on their cruise. There's a heightened awareness of the importance of staying hydrated in our lives, and that leads many to want to know how much water they can bring with them on a cruise.  Or if they can refill a water bottle.

Before you pack for your cruise, don't ignore the rules about how much water you can bring, and be sure to investigate what alternative options you have for having enough water for your needs.

Royal Caribbean’s official policy on bringing water

Royal Caribbean allows its passengers to bring water on a cruise, but only on one day of the sailing and in a limited quantity.

The cruise line does not distinguish between water or soft drinks, but does allow some non-alcoholic drinks to be brought:

Guests may also bring non-alcoholic beverages as carry-on items on boarding day.  Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom.

This means you can bring up to 12 bottles of water with you on embarkation day only.

Moreover, it needs to be carried onboard and not put into your luggage that you give to porters to be delivered to your cabin.

Why? Because all bags are scanned in an X-Ray machine, and if they see bottles, the security team many not be able to distinguish between bottles of water or bottles of liquor. In that case, they'll hold your luggage back and you'll need to go to security and have them open it up and check it out.

You can also bring a water bottle to use and refill

Instead of plastic bottles, you're allowed to also bring your favorite water bottle onboard.

Whether you prefer a Hydroflask or Yeti cup or Stanley cup, they're all allowed onboard (Contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use).  There's one important caveat.

You cannot directly refill your water bottle at one of the ship's refillable water stations because of health concerns.  

Cups should never be re-used for refills because that cup was in contact with your mouth, and that's how illnesses can be spread.  Instead, Royal Caribbean provides plastic cups you can use to easily grab and fill.

In the case of a water bottle, you'd have to get the water from a plastic cup, and then pour the water into your water bottle from there.

Any bar or food service location will give you a glass of iced water. You can pour into your own sports bottle.

You don't need to bring water for a CPAP machine

If you have the need for a CPAP machine on your cruise, Royal Caribbean will provide water for you without the need for you to bring any.

The key is to fill out an online form for your CPAP requests.

There's no fee for the cruise line to provide you with the distilled water.

Royal Caribbean can provide the distilled water and an extension cord, at no extra cost. These items will be placed in your stateroom on the day of sailing.

Be sure to carry your CPAP/BIPAP machine onboard with your carry-on luggage. Don't check it in with the porters.

Alternatives to bringing your own water

If carrying your own water onboard seems like more hassle than it's worth, there are other options for you.

First and foremost, there is complimentary tap water in staterooms, dining rooms, and buffet areas.

It's perfectly safe to drink the water on a cruise ship straight from the tap, including the water that comes out of your bathroom sink.

All the water on your ship is rigorously distilled or purified according to sanitation standards approved by the U.S. Public Health Service.

The water is regularly desalinated, treated, filtered, and tested to confirm the water quality. It's probably cleaner than the tap water you get at home.

Read more: 8 Royal Caribbean cruise questions guests are too embarrassed to ask

If you prefer spring water, Royal Caribbean sells bottled water packages.

Packages of 12 Evian water bottles are sold that you can pre-purchase from the Royal Caribbean app or its Cruise Planner website.

The water will be delivered to your stateroom, and you can even share it with others. Plus, there's no heft on your part to worry about getting it to the ship.

The standard price for a 12 water bottle package is $45.

Another option is to buy an unlimited drink package, which also includes bottled water.

Both the Deluxe Beverage Package and the Refreshment Package include bottled water during your sailing, and there's no limit to it either.  Plus, you get other drinks to enjoy too as part of the cost.

Plenty of water, whether you bring your own or not

The bottom line is you can stay hydrated on your Royal Caribbean cruise whether you bring your own or not.

Packing water to bring on your cruise means you could save money on a costly drink package, and provide the exact brand and type of bottled water you prefer.

Remember that there's a limit on the amount of water you can bring, even if in practice, crew members sometimes don't get too concerned with the exact amount brought onboard.

Royal Caribbean's water policy is simple, but don't overlook the fact there's lots of water you can drink on the ship at no cost.

In fact, one really useful cruise hack is to bring water drink mixes to enhance the flavor of the water included with your cruise fare (Contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use). 

Plan ahead and review the cruise line rules to avoid surprises on embarkation day.

If you're like me, you love discovering new cruise tips to maximize your vacation, but some of them just don't work as well as they sound.

There are plenty of tried and true cruise tips that cruisers swear by because of how effective they are: fly in a day early for your cruise, invest in magnets for your cabin, research shore excursions, and book your cruise as early as possible.

I've tried many different so-called secrets, but some of them just aren't as effective as I thought they would be and it was a disappointment.

In retrospect, some cruise tips are more effective based on your personality and travel style. As an example, saving money by booking an inside cabin is a great piece of advice, unless you're claustrophobic or always stay in upscale hotel rooms.

I reviewed the tips and advice I've heard over the years and came up with my list of 8 cruise tips that made sense until I got on the cruise ship.

Avoiding overpacking

A lot of people advocate to avoid overpacking for a cruise vacation, and I think this is rooted in avoiding hefty luggage costs with the airlines than truly benefitting you on a cruise ship.

The travel world has become obsessed with minimalist packing, where you travel with as little luggage as possible.  Perhaps you've heard of cruising with just a carry-on suitcase?

I have to admit I got caught up in this trend and started packing less and less so that I could re-use clothing on the ship. There is some truth to the idea you have to have an entire outfit every night for dinner, plus a daytime outfit.

However, I found packing less clothing gave me more anxiety than satisfaction.

It felt like I was rationing clothes and subsequently justifying to myself I could re-wear that pair of jeans or shirt because, "it's not that dirty yet."

Of course I could use Royal Caribbean's laundry services, but it's pricey and takes a day or longer to get back to you.

Ultimately, I realized minimalist packing is fine for some, especially those flying low cast carriers that want to avoid fees.  But I don't fly Spirit, Frontier, or Breeze.  Heck, I rarely fly to my cruises because I live in Florida.

Moreover, when I do fly, I'm going to inevitably need to pay for one piece of luggage per person travelling. So I'll maximize that suitcase.

Not paying for internet access on the ship

One commonly cited piece of cruise advice is to skip buying an internet package in order to save money.

There's no free WiFi on a cruise ship (beyond using the Royal Caribbean app), and a package for the duration of your cruise will probably cost over $100 per person. So this compels some to advocate not buying internet at all.

While there's no doubt not buying an internet package will save money, I just don't find it practical at all.

Admittedly, I'm a geek and being on the internet is more important to me than perhaps other people.

I think it's only when you don't have internet access at all that you realize how many little things you rely on the internet for, besides email and web browsing.

Texting with family, checking weather forecasts before you leave the ship, and paying bills on time are all little things that are great to have the internet for on a cruise.

Plus, I don't equate internet access with being any more or less relaxed. There are plenty of distractions on a cruise ship beyond the internet, so besides not checking your work email, I think having WiFi provides another form of entertainment in addition to books, magazines, or movies.

I'm all for saving money, but I can't skimp on WiFi.

Skipping shore excursions and staying onboard

Something you hear from a lot of experienced cruisers is to stay on the ship during ports of call in order to take advantage of what's available onboard.

The rationale for this tip is that you could save money on a costly shore excursion, plus there's already plenty of entertainment and activities to do on the ship.  And with so many people off the ship, lines and waits for the top activities are much less, such as waterslides.

There's truth to this recommendation, except I feel cooped up when I'm on the ship instead of exploring or just doing something in port.

I love to cruise because of the amazing places I get to visit, and it seems counterintuitive to skip out on the fun things to do in port.

Granted, if there's a port I've been to a dozen times, I may not feel that compelled to go and walk around.  But whenever I've tried this tip and stayed on the ship, I feel like I'm a dog starring longingly out the window with dreams of going outside.

The workaround for this tip is to do both. Get off the ship early and do something, but get back onboard early and you can still take advantage of less lines.

Eat only at the complimentary restaurants

Another money saving tip you'll run across is to skip the extra cost specialty restaurants and only eat at the included options.

The longer the sailing, the less I agree with this tip because I really like variety in my dining.

While specialty dining does indeed cost more, I'm on vacation and not trying to save money on my lunches at work. Splurging is part of what makes vacation fun.

I do enjoy dinners in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer, but once I get to day 4 or 5 of the cruise, I'm usually ready to change things up just a bit.

Having a few sushi rolls at Izumi, ordering a bowl of pasta at Giovannis, or getting a burger and nachos at Playmakers is a guilty pleasure that I'll go for every time.

Bidding to upgrade your cabin

I love the idea of paying less to get more, but I've stopped bidding for my stateroom upgrades.

If you're very flexible and don't really care where your room is located, then RoyalUp might be fine for you.  But I can't get past a couple of issues with it.

My first problem with RoyalUp is just because there is an option to bid doesn't actually mean there is a room to upgrade to, and I think a lot of new cruisers miss that detail.

The reason why Royal Caribbean offers these bid upgrades is primarily to account for last-minute cancellations.  So the bid you're making is really a backup option if someone decides to cancel.

The more troubling problem with RoyalUp is should your bid be accepted, you can't select where your room is located.

I think it's really important to pick a good cabin location to avoid noise problems, and you lose that ability once RoyalUp takes over.  A winning bid means the cruise line will pick where your cabin is located.

Waiting to book another cruise until you get onboard

You can get extra onboard credit and reduced deposit by booking a cruise on a ship, but I think it's a mistake to wait to book a cruise until your next cruise.

The problem with booking a cruise at NextCruise is if you know in the weeks or months leading up to your cruise which cruise to book.  By waiting until you get onboard the ship to book it, the price may increase to the point it offsets the benefit of getting extra onboard credit.

Royal Caribbean cruise prices are fluid and can change at anytime.  Over the course of days, weeks, or months, the price will almost certainly increase.

My advice is if you know there's a cruise you want to book now, go ahead and contact your travel agent to book it now. 

NextCruise is great for when you're on the ship and are struck with the motivation to suddenly book another cruise. In that case, you should definitely go and book the cruise at NextCruise.

Booking the cheapest cabin

Cutting corners and saving money where you can is definitely a sound financial strategy, but you also have to weigh the pros and cons of going cheap versus enjoying your well-deserved vacation.

It can be difficult to know if you should book the cheapest room on a cruise or spend extra for a nicer cabin.

If you shop by price alone, you may end up with a cruise cabin that you're stuck with for the duration of the cruise. There's nothing inherently wrong with an small inside cruise ship cabin, but it may clash with what you're used to on land.

Cruise ship cabins are typically much smaller than hotel rooms on land, and the smallest rooms on a ship are really small, coming in at less than 300 square feet.  If you're sharing this space with someone else, then the lack of space can really become problematic.

Everyone has a vacation budget, but be realistic about your cabin choice so you don't end up walking into your room and then realize you've made a mistake.

Pack an over-the-door organizer

There are so many good inside cabin hacks out there, but one I tried and won't ever do again is bring an over-the-door organizers.

This is a classic "sounds better than it is" scenario because you go to the dollar store and buy one of these and put it on the back of your cabin door or bathroom door.

The idea is to add more storage options, especially for shoes and toiletries.

I found the thing flops around too much on a cabin door, which lead to things falling out all the time.

Plus, unless you're sailing on a really old cruise ship, I just don't have that kind of a problem with finding storage.  Especially if your cruise is less than a week.

A far better tip is to invest in cruise magnets to help get clutter off the floor, and it works better for my style of cruising.

It looks like Royal Caribbean may be bringing a new cruise ship to the west coast.

Ever since Royal Caribbean started sailing again from Los Angeles in 2021, Navigator of the Seas has been based there to offer sailings.

Based on the updated port schedule, that could soon be changing.

The Ports America Los Angeles website schedule shows Voyager of the Seas will seemingly replace Navigator of the Seas in late 2026.

It's worth noting Royal Caribbean has not made any official announcements about a change yet.  The port schedule is merely a glimpse into what could be changing.

In looking at the schedule Voyager of the Seas arrives to begin cruises October 5, 2026.

Since Los Angeles is presumably Voyager's home port, we can deduce her sailing schedule:

• October 5, 2026: 3 night cruise
• October 8, 2026: 8 night cruise
• October 16, 2026: 5 night cruise
• October 22, 2026: 6 night cruise
• October 30, 2026: 8 night cruise

Navigator remains listed sailing from Los Angeles through November 5, 2026.  After that date, Navigator disappears from the schedule, while continues through at least December 2026.

The port schedule is only published through the end of December 2026.

It's not unusual for cruise ships to be redeployed around the world. No ship remains in the same port forever, as changing market needs compel Royal Caribbean to switch where ships sail from.

Moreover, there can be market needs to change ships. Shifting priorities, demands, and internal research are all reasons a cruise line will position one ship in one market over another.

Other returning ships

Something else worth mentioning in looking at the port schedule is the return of two Quantum Class ships.

Quantum will take her first cruise ever out of Los Angeles on October 2nd, 2025. Quantum will remain in Los Angeles through September 2026. After that date, she disappears from the schedule.

Royal Caribbean had already announced Ovation of the Seas will sail from Los Angeles in summer 2025, with cruises listed through September 23, 2025.

According to the schedule, Ovation of the Seas returns to the west coast and begins sailing from Los Angeles in September 2026.

• September 21, 2026
• September 24, 2026
• September 28, 2026

Ovation's arrival in Los Angeles coincides with the end of her scheduled cruises to Alaska in summer 2026.

Both Quantum and Ovation of the Seas are Quantum Class ships and notably larger ships than Navigator or Voyager.  

Quantum Class ships are designed for warm and cold weather climates. Both ships have a passenger capacity of 4,905 guests. That's about 900 more passengers than Navigator of the Seas.

They measure 1,138 feet in length and have a size of 168,666 gross tons, making them more than 100 feet longer and 30,000 gross tons bigger than Navigator.

A growing cruise market on the west coast

Royal Caribbean had been absent from Los Angeles for a decade, but is now committed to offering more cruises from there.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley told investors last summer he sees growth opportunities from LA sailings, "We have strong ambitions to grow the West Coast in the US."

Bayley said that Navigator, which has been on the West Coast for two years, has been "performing exceptionally well."

Bookings are selling quickly, and the cruise line is responding to high demand.

Upcoming deployments

We may know the official answer to how accurate Los Angeles' port schedule is in a few weeks when Royal Caribbean resumes its 2026-2027 deployment announcements.

Royal Caribbean had already announced 2026 Alaska cruises, some of its Europe 2026 cruises, and Summer & Yearlong Caribbean Northeast cruises.

Over the next few weeks, more cruises in 2026 and 2027 will be announced:

• Week of January 27, 2025: Europe 2.0
• Week of February 17, 2025: Short Caribbean & West Coast
• Week of February 24, 2025: Seasonal Caribbean
• Week of March 31, 2025: Australia
• TBD: China & Singapore

If this deployment schedule holds true (sometimes the cruise line delays its deployments), Royal Caribbean would confirm the ship line up for Los Angeles sometime during the week of February 17, 2025.

Welcome to the first week of 2025, and here is your look at all of the Royal Caribbean news you might have missed in the past week.

Ready for your first cruise of the year? There have been updates to what you can't bring on the ship.

In just the past few months, Royal Caribbean updated its list of things you can't bring on a cruise anymore.  And that's in addition to things people commonly pack that are still not allowed.

Before you leave home, make sure you leave these 5 things at home before your cruise begins.

Royal Caribbean News

• 12 Royal Caribbean guests sue cruise line, former crew member over hidden camera in cabins
• 7 Best Royal Caribbean cruise destinations you can visit
• I take a dozen cruises every year. Here's the 20 things I do before every sailing begins
• Cruise splurges I made in 2024. Some weren't worth it
• 12 ways Royal Caribbean’s made its app the best in the cruise industry
• I tried the shore excursion that got shut down. The beach was great, but the tour was too expensive
• Real ID deadline is coming in the spring of 2025. How to get one now
• Here's What To Expect From This Year's After-Christmas Sale

Video: I'm not buying these things on my cruise in 2025

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — I'm not buying these things on my cruise in 2025 — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 553rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with wishes for Royal Caribbean in the new year.

Matt and Billy share their annual tradition of making three wishes each for what they want to see changed within Royal Caribbean.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Man spent $160 per day to reach Diamond status tier in just 30 days

One cruiser decided to get to Diamond status in Crown and Anchor Society in just one month.

The person went from Gold to Diamond in 30 days by booking back-to-back cruises and sailing various routes. 

He started his month-long journey with 21 cruise points. By the end, he had reached Diamond status, accumulating a total of 81 cruise points.

I tried Royal Caribbean’s luxury Star Class suite for the first time for $11,000

Jenna tried her first Star Class cabin, and while the perks were amazing, she thinks she might enjoy a cruise just as much in an inside cabin.

She sailed in a two bedroom AquaTheater suite on Utopia of the Seas, which came with the services of a Royal Genie, and access to the suite-only areas of the ship.

The price of these suites is a tough pill to swallow, especially when you consider how much money can be saved by staying in a lower category cabin.

One of the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships of all time is waiting to be rediscovered

Voyager of the Seas is 25 years old, but it's a great ship that should not be overlooked.

The 137,276-ton cruise ship was a game changer when she debuted.

Matt sailed on Voyager for the first time, and he was impressed by how this mega ship remains a compelling choice.

When it comes to cruising, I’m a hard-core budget traveler. The more money I can save, the more often I can travel - and that's always my goal!

Although traveling has become increasingly more expensive in the last few years, I still find incredible value from cruising. With accommodations, meals, entertainment, and onboard amenities included in your cruise fare, it offers exceptional value for your money. My budget can be stretched further while cruising with so much included in the fare. 

However, there are always opportunities to splurge while cruising. Expensive add-ons and upselling both seem to be more prevalent than ever. Because of this, budget travelers might find constant temptation to splurge on cruise extras, including drink packages, internet purchases, specialty dining, and excursions. 

For me, 2024 was a big year of travel. I sailed on eight different cruises across four continents. These far-flung itineraries required long international flights, during which I flew on nearly 100 separate flight segments in 2024. This amounted to 135,206 miles of flying, with 13 days of the year spent in the air.

I was able to check a few major destinations off my bucket list this year by cruising, including South Africa, Madagascar, Belgium, Indonesia, and Australia. I was able to reach these countries while cruising on four extremely port-intensive itineraries. 

This included two sailings on Norwegian Cruise Line to South Africa and New England. I also cruised twice with Celebrity Cruises to Norway and Australia in 2024. Other sailings included weekend cruises with Carnival Cruise Line.

Between credit card points, cheap interior cabins, and my remote work jobs, I was able to stretch my vacation budget significantly this year. With a few big splurges in 2024, some purchases were absolutely worth the expense, while others felt like a waste of money.

Worth it: Balcony stateroom

One of my favorite cruises of the year was a 7-night Norway fjord sailing on Celebrity Apex with my husband. We departed from England and visited three ports throughout Norway, including one stop in Belgium.

Although we typically book cheaper cabins like interior guarantee staterooms, we decided to splurge on a more expensive balcony cabin for this cruise. We knew Norway would be incredibly beautiful with stunning views of the fjords throughout the week. Because of this, we wanted to have our own private balcony so we wouldn’t miss any of the sights!

Our deluxe porthole balcony stateroom was pricey at $4,200, which is certainly on the expensive side for a 7-night itinerary. But, the splurge was absolutely worthwhile! With extra space in the cabin and our own veranda, our cabin felt like a slice of luxury.

We also decided to splurge on choosing our specific stateroom instead of booking a balcony guarantee. Although we saved money last year booking this kind of cabin on our Jewel of the Seas cruise with Royal Caribbean, our stateroom was above the nightclub. We couldn't sleep until midnight each evening because of the loud noise! 

This time, we strategically picked our stateroom because it was nestled among other cabins. This was worth every single penny! 

The highlight of our balcony was sailing through the fjords from the privacy of our veranda. After bringing two bottles of wine onboard for embarkation day, my husband and I enjoyed a relaxing happy hour on our balcony each evening, sipping wine as the ship sailed away from the ports of call. Watching the awe-inspiring fjords drift by made the splurge unforgettable. 

Waste: Spa treatment

During our cruise through the Norwegian fjords, my husband and I decided to splurge on a couple’s massage. Cruise ship spas are notoriously expensive, so the $400 cost for our spa treatment was not surprising.

Unfortunately, the overall experience fell short of expectations. The massage itself was wonderful, but I expected more for the price. I had high hopes for the Edge class spa, which is often advertised as a top-of-the-line amenity for Celebrity Cruises. As a premium cruise line, the onboard experience is centered around modern relaxation and rejuvenation.

First, the massage room lacked ambiance - it felt very plain and resembled a basic spa in a shopping mall. Some of the aspects of the experience also felt cheap. For instance, the masseuse placed a rolled-up paper towel over our eyes for the facial portion of the massage. For the cost of the spa treatment, I would expect at least a warm towel for my eyes.

In the future, I will probably prioritize thermal spa passes that can be used throughout the duration of the cruise. While cruising in Africa, I spent about $200 on a thermal spa pass to use for the 12-night voyage. This was the first time I splurged on a thermal spa pass - and it was definitely worth it!

This was one of the best splurges I made during that itinerary. I enjoyed the heated loungers with my book every afternoon, often resulting in a nap. This purchase felt far more worthwhile, as I could enjoy the spa amenities every day of the cruise. On the flip side, massages only last about 60 minutes. 

Worth it: Drink packages

As a frequent cruiser, I hardly ever splurge on a drink package because they’re extraordinarily expensive. Before 2024, I had only purchased Royal Caribbean’s drink package once and struggled to get my money’s worth. Keeping up with the required level of drinking throughout the cruise felt excessive, and I ultimately lost money on the drink package.

Also, with my Royal Caribbean loyalty status, I receive five daily drink vouchers for complimentary beverages priced up to $14 each. This perk is more than sufficient for me, essentially providing the benefits of a drink package without the added cost.

However, one of the cruises I booked this year included a drink package in the cruise fare. I cruised with Norwegian Cruise Line to Africa onboard Norwegian Dawn in January 2024. The cruise line’s “Free at Sea” pricing included a drink package, in which guests only needed to pay for the gratuities on the package. I had never tried this package before, but I thought the price was reasonable. 

For the 12-night cruise, I only paid about $500 in gratuities for Norwegian’s standard drink package. This included most of the drinks that I wanted to order, such as mojitos, martinis, and piña coladas.

Being able to indulge throughout this port-intensive itinerary was worth the splurge. I appreciated not having to worry about paying for every drink consumed, although I do wish specialty coffee was included in Norwegian’s standard drink package. Even still, I easily drank more than $500 worth during the 12-night cruise - and I would splurge on Norwegian’s drink package again.

Waste: Specialty dining

Specialty dining is typically a splurge I enjoy. When sailing on longer itineraries, a specialty restaurant can provide a change of pace from the main dining room. Specialty restaurants on cruise ships include higher-quality entrees and more attentive service for a reasonable surcharge. However, this wasn't always the case during my 2024 cruises. 

While cruising in Norway with my husband, he was especially interested in dining at Raw on Five onboard Celebrity Apex. As a sushi-lover, we heard rave reviews about the upscale experience. During our first sea day, we booked Raw on Five for lunch to try this raved-about restaurant.

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's new loyalty match program. I missed having drink vouchers, but it saved me hundreds of dollars

Unfortunately, Raw on Five did not live up to our expectations. My husband tried two sushi rolls and one plate of oysters for lunch. While the food was edible, the meal was not particularly impressive. Similarly, I tried the pork butt and felt the meat was rubbery and tough. For $60, our money could have been spent elsewhere.

Not all specialty dining was disappointing, though. My husband and I also dined at Rooftop Garden Grill during our cruise and had one of the best meals on any cruise! I also tried Tuscan Grill on Celebrity Solstice, which is one of my new favorite cruise ship restaurants. In fact, the meal was so delightful the first time that we returned for a second visit during our 15-night cruise in Australia.

Worth it: Cruise line excursions

I’m a destination-focused cruiser, so I usually pick my sailings based on the ports of call. If I am going to spend time and money to travel, I want to make sure I'm visiting destinations that I actually want to see. Because of this, I plan my days ashore meticulously to maximize the time in port.

While excursions through the cruise line can be undeniably expensive, my splurges in 2024 on these tours were absolutely worthwhile. Cruise-sponsored excursions provide added security that your cruise ship will not depart without you. This means unexpected traffic or delays aren’t a cause for concern during your time ashore.

In addition, I’ve discovered that cruise-sponsored almost always receive priority for disembarkation. If you’re docked in a port that requires tendering ashore, cruise-sponsored excursions will be among the first to head ashore. These tours also receive priority for ports of call that require face-to-face immigration.

Throughout 2024, I splurged on excursions offered through the cruise line - even if the cost was significantly more than booking an independent tour. While cruising around South Africa, we booked multiple safaris throughout our itinerary. Most of these safaris were hours away from the ports and required significant travel. Not to mention, we were required to do face-to-face immigration in South Africa.

I felt Norwegian’s excursions would be the safest option for touring, especially while traveling to an unfamiliar part of the world. We also received priority disembarkation in every port, which allowed us more time ashore. Because we were booked on a Norwegian excursion, we also avoided the chaotic immigration line with those going ashore on their own. 

Throughout 2024, I found myself booking more excursions through the cruise line for these reasons. I also booked the Flam Railway during our Norway cruise through Celebrity Cruises. In addition, we visited the Great Barrier Reef while cruising in Australia. Instead of looking to save money with an independent tour, we opted for Celebrity's snorkeling excursion because we would be traveling far from the anchored ship. 

Worth it: Disembarkation tours

Disembarkation tours became a new favorite splurge of mine in 2024. These excursions allow guests the opportunity to tour the disembarkation city before heading to the airport or continuing on with their travels. Instead of waiting around at the airport all day, you can utilize your time to explore the surrounding area.

The first disembarkation tour I booked was in Cape Town, South Africa, which was through the cruise line. Because our flight did not depart until 11 in the evening, we had an entire day to tour the city. I was ecstatic to see a tour of the Cape Peninsula to visit Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope, which are the southernmost points in Africa. Of course, I couldn’t wait to also see the precious penguins waddling around Boulders Beach!

With just two days to explore Cape Town, I was thrilled with this all-day excursion, as it made the most of our limited time in the city. We were able to venture around the Cape Peninsula all day and still arrive at the airport with plenty of time. In addition, we didn’t need to worry about storing our luggage somewhere in a secure location on the coach bus.

After this positive experience, I decided to utilize the same strategy in Singapore after disembarking from my cruise around Australia. We only had one day to explore Singapore before flying home the following day, so we organized a disembarkation tour through Viator. 

With four people, we had a private van that shuffled us around the city to the main sights. We were able to keep our luggage in the car safely before checking into our hotel later that night. This was the best way to end a fantastic cruise. 

With future cruises, I will continue to book disembarkation tours if the right opportunity presents itself. I’d rather see more of the local sights than wait around all day at the airport!

Kids Sail Free is a promotion Royal Caribbean offers from time to time on select sailings that are usually a great vacation discount.  Throughout the year, Royal Caribbean will offer Kids Sail Free deals as a way to encourage new bookings. 

Royal Caribbean regularly updates the offer on a monthly basis. In this post, we will cover information about the promotion, tips for booking it, and offer answers to frequently asked questions.

For starters, Kids Sail Free is an offer Royal Caribbean offers selectively throughout the year. 

What is Kids Sail Free promotion?

The exact offer details may vary, but Royal Caribbean's Kids Sail Free offers are usually consistent in their basics. Third guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on select 4 nights or longer sailings are eligible for free cruise fare.

The "catch" with a Kids Sail Free deal are the blackout dates that prevent you from booking the promotion.

There are usually many blackout dates associated with any Kids Sail Free offer, which means if your cruise begins on or in any of the blackout dates, the Kids Sail Free offer does not qualify. Not surprisingly, most of the black out dates are over major school holidays in the United States calendar year. 

Here are some sample blackout dates from past Kids Sail Free offers:

• Spring break sailings departing March 7 - 28, 2025; April 12 - 24, 2025
• Holiday sailings departing December 18, 2025 – January 5, 2026
• Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 16 – September 12, 2025

Kids Sail Free dates

Royal Caribbean is offering Kids Sail Free in April 2025.

The offer runs on bookings made between April 2 – April 30, 2025 and applies to select sailings 3 nights and longer departing on or after April 2, 2025.

It provides $0 cruise fare for additional guest 12 years old and younger as of the departure date booked in the same stateroom as the first full fare paying and second guests.

Kids Sail Free excludes all sailings departing on or during any of the following dates April 12 - 24, 2025; May 22 – August 29, 2025; November 20 - 28, 2025; December 18, 2025 – January 5, 2026; March 6 – April 9, 2026; May 21 – September 4, 2026; November 19 – 27, 2026; December 17, 2026 – January 4, 2027; March 5 – April 1, 2027 Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 16 – September 12, 2025; May 15 – September 11, 2026.

Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and apply to all guests.

How often does Royal Caribbean offer Kids Sail Free?

There is no pattern to how many times a year or when the offer will become available.

Kids Sail Free is usually available a few times throughout the year. In fact, Royal Caribbean has been offering Kids Sail Free deals far more regularly than ever before.

Is it really free?

Assuming your kids qualify for the deal, their cruise fare cost will be zero.

You are still responsible for paying for the taxes and port fees associated with the children, along with any other charges onboard.  But if you look at the cruise invoice, their cruise fare will be zero. 

Like all guests, a daily gratuity will be charged per passenger, including the kids.

Be sure to check the fine print before booking to understand exactly the full price of the cruise.

When comparing prices, it is critical to compare the exact cabin type to each other. 

Often, people will look at the price of a cabin designed for two people and then increase the amount of people in the cabin to four people, and get a different cabin category.

The easiest cabin category to see how much money Kids Sail Free can save are suites because most suites can accommodate up to 4 people all the time. Not to mention the per-person savings in a suite will be significantly higher than in lower cabins.

Kids Sail For Less

In addition to the Kids Sail Free offer, Royal Caribbean may also offer the Kids Sail For Less offer, which is typically 25-30% off cruise fare for third guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualified guests.

The primary advantage of Kids Sail For Less is there are no blackout dates associated with Kids Sail For Less.  This means if you have a couple of kids in your stateroom, you receive a discount on them. 

Moreover, Kids Sail For Less often does not have age restrictions in place, so really any guest of any age who is a third guest, fourth guest, fifth guest, et al in the same stateroom as the first two guests can get a discount.

Is Kids Sail Free a lie?

A common question asked is when comparing prices, adding kids to a reservation in order to take advantage of a Kids Sail Free offer ends up increasing the overall price.

The reason why this occurs is when you select a cabin for two passengers, the system assigns you a stateroom designed just for two guests. When you add kids, it selects a different stateroom that is larger in living space so it can accommodate four people.

The vast majority of cabins on a cruise ship can only sleep two people.  Because they are plentiful, there is more supply, and higher supply means lower prices.  

Generally speaking, cabins that can sleep more than two people are fewer in supply.  There are not nearly as many, so they are in demand, they sell out quicker and that demand drives up the rate.  

If you were to compare booking a cabin as if everyone in your party was an adult and then compare that to two adults plus kids, you would see the price difference.  Only then is it apples-to-apples.  

Royal Caribbean offers some of its best loyalty benefits when you reach Diamond level, and one passenger got there as fast as possible.

Crown & Anchor Society rewards loyal cruisers with perks like free drinks, exclusive lounge access, Casino Royale FreePlay, laundry discounts, and more. However, the true benefits start once you've reached Diamond status. 

To become a Diamond Crown & Anchor member, you must accumulate 80 cruise points. Typically, guests receive one cruise point per night, meaning if you take a 7-night cruise in a standard cabin (i.e., interior, ocean view, or balcony), you'll get 7 cruise points. 

However, cruisers in suites and traveling solo get two cruise points per night, so they'd get 14 points for a 7-night cruise. Similarly, a Royal Caribbean passenger on a 3-night cruise in a Grand Suite would receive 6 cruise points. 

Considering you need 80 cruise points to reach Diamond status, it takes years for the average cruiser to climb to the fourth tier of the Crown & Anchor Society. 

To achieve this, you’d need to complete 12 weeklong cruises in a standard cabin or 6 in a suite. Alternatively, you’d have to take 20 4-night Royal Caribbean voyages if you prefer shorter cruises. 

Recently, one cruiser shared how they went from a Gold to Diamond C&A member in just one month. Shared to the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread, macacofreco explained how he managed to fast-track his way to Diamond status by booking back-to-back cruises sailing various routes. 

He started his month-long journey with 21 cruise points. By the end, he had reached Diamond status, accumulating a total of 81 cruise points.

Read more: How to earn Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society points faster

Delayed transatlantic cruise 

macacofreco received four free C&A points due to the delay of his transatlantic cruise, which resulted in a refund for two missed days. In addition, four ports of call were canceled during the journey. 

He got 26 cruise points for the 13-night transatlantic cruise on Adventure of the Seas. The sailing departed from Barcelona, Spain, and arrived in Port Canaveral, Florida, on Dec. 7. 

Despite not being on board for the entire 13 nights, the points he earned for the sailing helped him reach the highly coveted Diamond tier. Otherwise, he would have been three points short after his final cruise in 2024. 

Four ships from four different classes

Following Voyager of the Seas, macacofreco boarded Oasis of the Seas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise, calling at Perfect Day at CocoCay; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Labadee, Haiti. He earned 12 cruise points during this sailing. 

After disembarking from Oasis, macacofreco remained in Fort Lauderdale overnight awaiting another 6-night Western Caribbean cruise on Freedom of the Seas. While he returned to Jamaica and Haiti, he also visited Grand Cayman, earning an extra 12 cruise points.

Finally, the determined cruiser spent Christmas aboard Grandeur of the Seas, a Vision Class ship that launched in 1996. For the 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to Haiti and Grand Bahama Island, he accumulated 10 more cruise points. He noted that he thought Grandeur should be retired. 

Read more: 4 lesser-known perks of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Program

The average cost was $160 per day

There are two ways to earn more than one cruise point per sailing. The first is to cruise solo. Because you're paying double occupancy, Royal Caribbean rewards you with two points per night. 

The second is to book a suite. The category doesn't make a difference. In other words, if you book a Star Class suite, you'll receive the same two points per night as passengers staying in Sky Class cabins. 

To climb the ranks as quickly and affordably as possible, macacofreco sailed by himself in the cheapest cabin available, nothing that he had a window stateroom on two sailings. 

Because he ascended ranks during his month-long journey, he had to call the Crown & Anchor Society support team to credit the points to his account so he could benefit from Platinum and Emerald perks while on board. 

"I had to contact [the] C&A deck to upgrade me twice because the points [take] a week to be credited automatically, and they did it," he wrote.

"You might also need to contact [the casino] host to get the extra free play credits after the upgrade."

macacofreco also talked about The Key, stating he'd only purchase the VIP package again if he were to get internet. He added that it's only worth the extra cost if you appreciate the exclusive FlowRider session. 

The Key program includes priority terminal access during designated arrival times, carry-on bag drop off with delivery to your cabin, welcome lunch with an exclusive menu, access to fast lane at onboard events, private FlowRider time, priority departure at tender ports, dedicated seating for shows in select venues, VOOM Surf & Stream internet for one device, and choice departure and á la carte breakfast on disembarkation day, 

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's The Key after hearing lots of negative reviews

Poor weather in November and December

Unfortunately, while macacofreco succeeded in reaching Diamond status in just one month, his journey was not without its challenges. 

"Many activities were canceled...due to bad weather," he explained. If the activity wasn't canceled, it was less enjoyable because of the inclement weather. 

"I would say the quantum class is the best option for [off-season] cruise[s] such as transatlantic, if you are an active [cruiser]," he added. 

Read more: Second cruise ship slams into Atlantic storm causing damage

It looks like it's actually going to happen this time, and you'll need to get a driver's license that is acceptable to cruise with.

The changeover from a traditional driver's license to a REAL ID has been in the works (and delayed) a few times, but this time it appears the new requirements will go into effect.

Beginning May 7, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security will require every resident of a US state or territory who is 18 years of age and older to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification to go through airport security and board a flight within the United States. 

A passport is, of course, acceptable as well.

REAL IDs are marked by a star on the top of the card.

The reason why this is important is so many Americans fly to get on their cruise ship. 

Your old driver's license will no longer work on or after May 7th. Only a Real ID (or passport) will get you through the Transportation Security Authority's security check in order to to fly domestically.

What is a REAL ID?

Think of a REAL ID as an enhanced driver's license, and without one, you won't be able to get on a plane.

It was passed by Congress as a requirement in 2005 in an effort to standardize identification, such as driver's licenses.

REAL ID driver's licenses don't replace a passport. Rather, they just serve as the new standard for driver's licenses.

It's easy to figure out if you already have one. Check your driver's license or state-issued identification. If it has a gold star in the top right, it's REAL ID compliant. California and Maine have variations on this, but there's still a star.

How to get a REAL ID?

To get an updated form of identification, you'll need to go to wherever you were issued your driver's license in the first place.

Depending on your state, there could be special places for applying for a REAL ID, or you may just need to go to your local driver's license service center or tax collector office.

The exact paperwork needed to apply may vary, but you'll need proof of identity and status as a US resident or citizen, proof of your Social Security number and multiple proofs of your current address.

Originals or hard copies of documentation (birth certificate, Social Security card, US passport) are required, with photocopies and screenshots not accepted. Check your state's driver's licensing agency website for more specifics.

You should get a temporary paper ID until the REAL ID arrives in the mail a few weeks later.

The cost should be about the same as renewing your license or non-driving identification card. 

What happens if I don't get a REAL ID?

Unless the deadline gets extended again, you won't be able to fly with just a standard driver's license as of May 7th because you won't make it past airport security checkpoints.

Of course, you could still fly with other acceptable forms of identification: 

• A valid passport
• US Department of Defense ID
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
• Enhanced Driver's License, issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington state 

Since many people that cruise have a passport, you could use your passport to fly domestically instead of getting a REAL ID.

Can I cruise with a REAL ID instead of a passport?

You cannot use just a driver's license or REAL ID as the sole form of proof of identification in order to cruise.

Royal Caribbean allows Americans who are sailing from the same port their ship departs and returns to to sail without a passport, but you'll need more than just a REAL ID.

This is referred to as a closed-loop sailing, and nearly all Caribbean cruises departing from mainland U.S. states have cruises that are considered this sort of a sailing.

If you qualify, then you can go on a cruise with just a REAL ID and an original birth certificate.

A cruise ship can take you to amazing places, and a few itineraries are truly remarkable.

Royal Caribbean has the most cruise ships of any single line, and they sail to multiple continents every year. Even the commonly visited ports of call are still noteworthy for being the sort of places people want to visit.

When I speak with frequent cruisers, inevitably one of the common discussion topics are what is your favorite cruise port you've visited?

Inevitably the answer tends to be fall into a few popular choices and I think these are the places you'll definitely want to consider visiting as well.

Royal Caribbean tends to offer the most sailings to Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean. These are popular places to visit, and each has crown jewels of vacation spots to see.

In addition, there are a handful of ships that visit Australia and the South Pacific, along with Asia.

With so many places to visit, how do you pick the best ones? What are the bucket list worthy places someone should absolutely get to at least once?

Here's my list of must-sees on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Perfect Day at CocoCay

I know this sounds almost cliched, but Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas is so darn good, it's what every other cruise line uses as the standard to measure itself against.

Located in the Berry Islands, CocoCay is available exclusively for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises passengers. No other lines can visit there.

It's the ultimate beach day without any hassle or thought. Royal Caribbean operates it all, and you simply walk off the ship and enjoy it.  An enclosed playground for passengers to do exactly what most people want out of a cruise vacation: a memorable day in a beautiful location.

Royal Caribbean designed CocoCay to deliver the perfect beach day experience.  "Perfect" is subjective, so they offer a lot of choices.  The perfect water park, the perfect beach for partying, the perfect beach for adults, the perfect upscale getaway, etc. 

There's no worrying about where and when to eat, or where to go because there are multiple choices. 

While you won't find any true authentic experiences that immerse you in a culture or history, but you will almost certainly have the Caribbean beach day you envisioned.

Inside passage cruise to Alaska

Everyone told me how amazing Alaska was, but until I experienced it, I could not properly appreciate it.

Royal Caribbean offers seasonal cruises in the summer to Alaska on four ships, operating from Seattle, Vancouver, or Seward, Alaska.

The reason why Alaska is one of the best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean cruise is because of the amazing landscapes you can experience.

Glaciers, local culture, wildlife, and scenery will draw you in, and it seems like every day there's something else amazing to see.

The top two draws are probably the glaciers and animal viewing, and they do not disappoint in Alaska.

There are glaciers your ship will bring you close to, as well as glaciers you can get right up to with a shore excursion. It's magnificent to see these giant sheets of ice and rock.

Then there's the bears, whales, eagles, salmon, and many other animals you can see all around you.  The vast wilderness of Alaska is unparalleled. 

I know it seems almost counterintuitive to go somewhere "cold" for a cruise, but Alaska is worth visiting every single year.

Great Barrier Reef

Located on the coast of Queensland, Airlie Beach is a gateway to Australia’s Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef.

Cruises tender near the town of Airlie Beach, with a walkable main street and several attractions in the town itself, such as the Airlie Beach Lagoon, white sand beaches, and cafes, shopping, and restaurants.

Most visitors to Airlie Beach will opt for an excursion to discover the area’s natural beauty. Catamaran tours to the Whitsunday Islands, for example, give the opportunity to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe on the archipelago of 74 small islands floating off the coast.

If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider a flightseeing tour over the Great Barrier Reef, where you can spot the massive reef and nearby Whitsunday Islands from above.

Regardless of what you choose to do in port, Airlie Beach is sure to exceed your expectations for a gorgeous beach day.

Greek isles

When you combine natural beauty and a rich culture, you get the Greek Isles.

Cruise ships are well-suited for visiting the small Greek island that make up the southern part of the country, and it's where you'll find white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and iconic cliffside villages with whitewashed buildings.

The best part is not all the islands are the same. There's the volcanic islands like Santorini, and lush landscapes like Corfu. You can relax on Mykonos’ beaches, or go hiking in Crete.

Of course, Greece is synonymous with history, and there are so many ancient sites to explore Greek mythology. Ancient ruins dot the landscape, and it's going to draw you in just as much as the stunning landscapes.

If you're not sold yet on Greece, then you also get a chance to experience the amazing cruising. Fresh seafood, moussaka, baklava, and locally-produced olive oil are all must-eats. You'll be able to sample authentic Greek wines and enjoy traditional taverna dining.

A cruise makes seeing it all so much easier, because you can visit several islands without the hassle of ferries or constant packing/unpacking.

Norwegian fjords

If the dramatic landscapes are your thing, the fjords of Norway will not disappoint.

Cruises to Norway offer visits to its major cities and natural beauty of its fjords. You'll find towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and lush greenery.

The iconic fjords like Geirangerfjord, Sognefjord, and Hardangerfjord, are known for their breathtaking vistas. Cruise ships can provide the perfect vantage point because they will sail deep into fjords that are otherwise inaccessible by land.

Royal Caribbean's ships sail around Northern Europe during the summer, and it's the perfect way to see the region.

The history of the Viking people is also waiting for you here, and there's Viking museums, traditional Norwegian wooden churches, and picturesque fishing villages.

Bergen, Ålesund, and Flam, are all known for their colorful wooden houses, bustling harbors, and friendly locals.

Cruises around Asia

Royal Caribbean has a major presence in Asia, and you'll find cruises that can take you to China, Japan, and Thailand.

Their ships sail from China and Singapore, but the sailings from Singapore stand out as a fabulous choice for North American cruisers.

There's a mix of different cruises to offer something for everyone. Short 3- to 4-night shorts visits Malaysia and Thailand, whereas 10-night Southeast Asia cruises go to popular spots in Vietnam and Thailand.

When you think of Thailand, you’ll likely picture crystal clear beaches, green mountains, colorful temples, and spicy street food. Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, offers all of those attractions and more.

In short, you'll be able to visit the most sought-after destinations across Southeast Asia.

Bermuda

There are around 34 beaches and coves to discover in Bermuda, although the most famous is Horseshoe Bay, known for its clear waters and pink sand. The island also boasts excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities including underwater visits to shipwrecks.

Bermuda has an efficient public transportation system that makes exploring the island a breeze. You’ll enjoy taking a stroll around the colorful, colonial buildings in Bermuda’s capital of Hamilton, visiting Bermuda’s crystal caves, or touring the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Simply put, there’s no shortage of ways to keep busy in Bermuda despite the island’s small size.

You’ll find most Bermuda itineraries departing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey or Baltimore, Maryland, making visiting this Atlantic paradise convenient for those living in the northeast.